The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Labor Program was in full operation in Long Branch and the Bayshore area assisting Monmouth County Clean Communities, which has the goal of reducing litter in public places.

For two days, during the week of June 30, five inmates were transported to Long Branch from the Monmouth County Correctional Institutional where they cleaned up litter on the roadsides. For the remainder of the week, the inmates cleaned up the litter along the northern section of the Henry Hudson Trail from Middletown to Union Beach.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Labor Program offers much needed assistance to towns, and helps lessen financial burdens they face due to budget constraints.

“I’m glad the sheriff’s office is able to provide such a valuable resource through our inmate labor program,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “The use of inmate labor to assist with the cleanup of our communities, work projects and storm damage recovery is a cost savings example of shared services.”

Offenders incarcerated for minor offenses with records of good behavior are eligible to be a part of the program. Inmates who enroll in the program participate in work projects as an alternative to spending their time in jail.

Last year, 1,260 hours were dedicated to working on a range of projects through the inmate labor program. The sheriff’s office transports and provides the security of the inmate labor crews.

Requests for inmate labor teams are made to the program coordinator, Medora Morris, and are evaluated in terms of the needs and feasibility of the project.

Past inmate labor projects have included cleanup from storm damage recovery, carpentry, painting, working with parks and public works departments and the restoration of historic sites including a Civil War era cemetery.